entry level flasher

[hamms-scooter]

For me, the display on my ICE 35 is so much nicer and easier to look at than the FL-8 that I sold or my brother-in-laws FL-20.

what about it the brightnes,size of display?

[hamms-scooter]

I had a Marcum LX-3 and all around I didnt like it all that well... I sold it after about 2 months of owning it and bought a FL-8....I personaly love my Vex... But thats just me... Although I would be interested in seeing the Humminbird 35 in action...

I use a fl-8 and like it alot.simple and easy to interpret what is going on down beneath you.What didn,t you like about the lx-3?

[life=outdoors92]

this year i have fished besides to the 3 marcums (i use a new LX3tc i got for 250$ at fleet in october...), the 3 Birds, and the FL 8s-18s. let me tell u something, they all catch fish... of course the better and best ones do make a slight difference, but i know a darn good fisherman, who outfishes me everytime with his VX1 or his 35. to me, i don't think it matters what you are usin, it matters how you interpret it, and know how to fish

[Mr.Outdoors]

Well I got the Marcum pre tru color...so wasnt a 3 color flasher like the FL-8.. I was never able to figure the zoom out... I fished over FL-8's a few times before I picked up the LX-3... I guess I was just spoiled by how easy the FL-8 was to work and read... I cant really pinpoint other than not being a 3 color flasher or the zoom ordeal.... But I suppose if I played with it more and was a 3 color I would have loved it...

[simple1]

hamms, I think my ice 35 is a little difficult to see in the sunlight. I am going to get the case and I think that will help a lot.

[bigbad401]

Originally Posted By: bigbad401

For me, the display on my ICE 35 is so much nicer and easier to look at than the FL-8 that I sold or my brother-in-laws FL-20.

what about it the brightnes,size of display?

The colors are sharper, not blurred like the vex. Easier on the eyes. Plus the bigger screen is so nice.

[simple1]

All this talk about flashers is making me want to go out on the ice right now. I haven't been out in 2 days!

[simple1]

Also, my ice 35 will show a big fish as a red line, outlined by a yellow, with the yellow outlined by green. I thought this was cool and noticed it when I caught some nice pike jigging.

[wildmanp]

the battle of the flashers..........very informative! I''ve owned vexilar, hummingbird and marcum.

[jwmiller33]

the battle of the flashers..........very informative! I''ve owned vexilar, hummingbird and marcum.

and........ whats your preference?

[jimmyjames76]

You guys using the bird how do you like the display without the lcd? I use a fl-8 and have 2 buddys with the ice 55 and I don't know what i think of the lcd.Plus it is fiber optic right? I have seen the 35 and if it in deed has zoom and DBT it would be worth it to me.

I like the display w/o the LCD, but I'm sure I'd like it with the LCD too. Brightness and display size are great, and I have no issues seeing it in any conditions including sunlight. My choice was mostly about the cost. I got the 35 for $215 brand new from a big hunting/fishing store 2 weeks ago, so I couldn't pass it up. Unfortunately it was the last one.

[hcmpls1]

here is a post i made a couple weeks ago in a similar thread in the ice fishing forum about my flasher:

I've been ice fishing for a couple years and I've been bumming off friend's and family's units since I have ice fished. Since Ive never owned a flasher before, I have no brand loyalty pulling toward a particular unit which I believe is actually better in this case. I wanted to compare apples to apples so when you look at the offerings from each company, you end up with this

Good

Humminbird ICE35 $275-300 (got for $250 at STP ice show)

Vexilar FL8/FL12 $300ish

MarCum VX1 $300ish

Better

Humminbird ICE45 $375

Vexilar FL18 $419.00 (ProPack)

MarCum LX3 $369.99

Best

HumminbirdICE55 $450

Vexilar FL20 $450

MarCum LX5 $425

I pretty much eliminated myself from the Best category because I simply couldnt afford to spend $500 on something that I was only going to use to fill a pail with some panfis. If money grew on trees, I would most likely have bought a MarCum LX5 or Hummingbird 55 since they seem to be the most impressive units on this list, but in my case, not the most practical.

I created a grid with all 6 units and wrote in the specification for each individual feature. When I was done with my analysis, the ICE35 literally jumped off the page with regard to bang for your buck (its the least expensive unit on the list). The entry level ICE35 has features more on par with the more expensive FL18 and LX3 units, and is a much better unit than the comparable FL8/FL12 and VX1 units. The ICE35 has a dual beam transducer (9* & 19*), ability to move your zoom window anywhere in the water column, and 10 level interference rejection. I was somewhat concerned that Humminbird was new in this arena and would likely have some bugs to work out in their products, but I was also familiar with their reputation as a company and the fact that this unit comes with a 2 year warranty helped to put my mind at ease. I also have a Humminbird in my boat and I know they make really good products.

The ICE35 also has a demo mode which allows you to play around with all of the features of the unit while sitting in your living room. Its helpful to learn what the buttons do and how the variable zoom works. I have been playing with this thing all night and it is fun to play around with it so I will be familiar with it when the ice finally freezes and i get out there fishing.

Some guys are loyal to vexilar because of their durability and their ability to last several years. Well, I know how to take care of my equipment and I make sure it gets treated how it should. As long as you don't let it bounce around in the otter sled behind the snowmobile, bang the transducer around on the ice, etc, and you take good care of it, I have no reason to believe this Humminbird I bought won't last just as long, or if not longer, then a Vex or Marc

Another great thing about the Humminbird flashers is they run on a different frequency then the Marcums and Vexilars, so you dont EVER have to worry about getting interference from the Marcums and Vexilars. It is nice to not even have to press the interference button and mess around with it

I have had my ICE35 for this entire ice season and couldn't be happier. I have no regrets about purchasing this unit and if i had to do it all over again, I would buy the same unit. 2 year warranty is nice too

Hey jwmiller33 - would you be willing to email me the grid you put together on flashers? I'd love to see it before making a late season purchase. [email protected]

[toomanyjigs]

i think that the showdown is a superior tool above all, vertical backlite display, 24 hr continous battery life,automatic zoom,1 foot adjustable zoom, 200 ft depth, 1000 watts rms 8000 peak,1/2 INCH target separation. wich i thinks works wonders whatever shows up on the screen close is a size 6 hook away and cabelas sells em for 250.00. had mine for a couple years now found on c-list as a vpg for 75bucks and love it! went to brainerd and got the upgrade two years ago, and one of the first to get it than a few guides in the state they said anyways they just gave me a new 5.6 on the spot for 35.00 at the time wich was a bonus and up to red lake i went to get a 17" 3/4 crappie nine miles out of hillmans wich made me start with jiginitious i think we all have anyways again, i want another one -jigs

[shiltsy]

Everyone locally seems to be sold out of the entry level gear. After doing research for a few weeks, visiting retailers and online shops I finally just bit the bullet and bought an FL-20.

I ultimately decided that this thing could be with me for 25 years, so I could justify the extra $100.

Good luck! For what it's worth, Thorne Brothers was the only retailer that had mid-level gear in stock. They had the LX-3 when I called yesterday.

[hamms-scooter]

Good investment shiltsy! Your set for a very long time!

[hcmpls1]

Sorry for the dumb question but what role does wattage play with flashers? A FL-20 has 400 watts max output and an ICE 55 has 2800 watts max output. 2800 is 7 times greater and I would assume its that much better but is it?

[jimmyjames76]

Sorry for the dumb question but what role does wattage play with flashers? A FL-20 has 400 watts max output and an ICE 55 has 2800 watts max output. 2800 is 7 times greater and I would assume its that much better but is it?

I think wattage is very overrated. In my experience you mark the same fish at 400 watts with a Vexilar that you would with one of the high powered units like the LX-5 and ICE 55 (not sure what the technical reason is). Maybe there's some subtle difference, but I think I'd focus on the other features that are important to you and not worry too much about the wattage.

[THavas]

Just to give this topic a bump,

I have been looking at the Showdowns and Hummingbird Flashers.

I am still torn between both myself.

Does anyone know where you can find a Showdown?..PM or email me at [email protected]

Thanks!!!

[jigginjim]

I started out with flashers many years ago. I bought an FL-8 when crystal graphs were coming out. still have the same unit, always working, maybe willing to sale it though.

[wplatehunter]

No problems here with my FL-8 great unit for price.